Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the
ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the
seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord;
and in his law does he meditate day and night.

Ps. 1:1-2.

There is a common inquiry among humanity concerning blessedness;
there is no one who does not wish that it may be well with 
him, and does not dread the thought that it should be ill with 
him. Yet all who have ever inquired into the matter have 
wandered from the knowledge of true blessedness, and those 
have wandered the most widely who have inquired with greatest 
diligence, such as the philosophers, the greatest of whom have 
placed true blessedness in the works of virtue, having rendered 
themselves more unhappy than the rest; they have deprived 
themselves cf the blessings both of this life and of that which 
is to come. The common people, although their ideas were the 
more grossly mad by making blessedness to consist in carnal 
pleasure, enjoyed at least the good of this life. This teacher, 
however, deriving his doctrine from heaven and detesting all 
the devoted endeavors of men, gives this only true definition of 
blessedness which is wholly unknown to men — that he is the 
blessed man who loves the law of God. It is a short definition, 
but it contains a savor that is contrary to all human ideas, and 
especially to human wisdom.

Is he not a blessed man and one strong in the faith who does
not walk in the broad way in the midst of the multitudes ; who
suffers reproaches and many evils from the same, and yet does
not consent unto them so as to walk with them? Who is not
deceived by the most specious counsel of the ungodly, which
might deceive the very elect ? It is a great thing not to be overcome
by riches, pleasures and honors; but to overcome the
specious righteousness and wisdom of the ungodly, who direct
their attacks most of all against pure faith, is the greatest of
all victories. But you are to notice that these words are the
words of faith and that they do not speak of men according to
what they appear to be. For no one would imagine such to be
the ungodly. The prophet here speaks in the spirit; and spiritually
that is ungodly which the world considers most godly,
because it is devoid of faith. The ungodly are secure and confident
in their lives, and there is no fear of God before their eyes.